DARWEN retained the Northern League 20/20 Cup with an easy win over Lancaster in a repeat of last year's final.

But their semi-final clash with St Annes at Birch Hall immediately before the final was a real nail-biter.

Skipper Keith Semple, who plays his last game for the club at home to Barrow next Saturday, was determined to go out with some silverware and he turned in a virtuoso performance against Ian Austin's well-fancied St Annes.

He was top scorer in a low-scoring game with a hard-hitting 26 which included three fours and a six and Darwen struggled to a miserable 104 for 8 thanks to youngsters Kameron Anwar and Nathan Carr keeping the innings alive.

Semple was brilliant and St Annes fell apart. He took two wickets for just 10 runs off his four overs, snapped up three very smart catches and ran out danger man Duncan Whalley as the visitors collapsed from 97 for 6 and overs to spare to 98 all out.

In the final, Lancaster managed 110 for 9, Andrew Mercer starring with 3 for 15, and then Atif Ashraf (76 not out) and Semple knocked em off in double quick time.

League president Brian Standing presented the 20/20 trophy to Semple.

The league championship is between St Annes and Morecambe and Darwen will probably finish third.